NEWLY appointed Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh hopes to meet with athletes soon to discuss their needs and welfare.

She told a press conference after reporting for duty at Menara KBS in Putrajaya that she had no intention of disrupting athletes’ programmes by making drastic changes.

“I have no intention of introducing new programmes, I want to hear from the athletes first and find a way to strengthen the existing programmes. They can continue with their existing programmes. If we keep changing the direction, it will be difficult for them to follow,” she said.

Yeoh also expressed the need for transparency in carrying out responsibility and accountability in spending.

“If there is a need, we will display (online who and which association receives the allocation) so that there is transparency, everyone knows where the budget goes, what it is spent for,” she said.

Hannah added that she believes her experience as women, family and community development deputy minister, during which she was also involved in drafting the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021, would help her in the tabling of the proposed Safe Sports Act.

“I have heard comments about the Safe Sports Act. I will hear from the management first, and based on their findings, I will give a new priority,” she said.

Other areas she would focus on included ensuring that sports are accessible for everyone, providing a safe space for athletes, and collaborating with other ministries on issues involving youth, without marginalising those who are not academically successful. – Bernama, December 6, 2022.